And the vacation is over.....

Homesickness:  sucks!!!!!

It has finally happened.  The vacation is over, and this is real!  It was a bit of a tough week for me.  Last weekend, my cousin got married (congrats Mike and Lynette!), then my brother got engaged (congrats to Ian and Anna!) and then, unfortunately, my Grandma ended up in the hospital (get better soon Grannie xoxox).  It was tough to be away from my family for all these events.  It just isn't quite the same talking over the phone, or video conferencing....

Todd is also back to Canada this morning.  He left at 6:15 am.  It is raining--fitting for my mood!  Thursday night is when the tears started for me.  It just hit me about midnight--I am living in a foreign country, where I do not speak the language, and my husband, who is such a support (and I miss already), is going to be gone for 2 weeks!  I was feeling sorry for myself already, not being back in Alberta, and celebrating with everyone, and visiting Grannie at the hospital, and then the thought of Todd being gone, it just didn't work for me!  I was also quite envious of Todd, and as such, a little bit mad (and then mad at myself for even being mad) that he got to go back "home", see familiar faces, and do familiar things.  I do realize he has to work, but it is still his "normal" routine.  I feel like I have nothing familiar.  All my kids are in school, I don't have the option of just popping into the school to help out, I have no one to go for coffee with, or hang out with, and we are 8 hours ahead of all those I want to talk to!
What does one do with one self?  Todd recommended I start taking French classes (which I know would help), but I hate putting myself in uncomfortable situations.  He also recommended I start asking some of the moms out from the school for coffee, or whatever, but again, uncomfortable for me.  I will probably suck it up at some point--but not yet!
And now, to top in all off, I feel guilty for being "mad" at Todd for the last 3 days before he left!  Why did I waste the time I had with him before he was gone, pouting :(
I am also a bit scared, as I signed up to volunteer for the first time, with Jacob's class on Friday morning. We are going to a museum, so hopefully it all goes well.  I am afraid I won't know enough French to keep the kids in line, and I will never be asked to help again!  As well, I have to get Jacob ready to send off on a Scout Weekend.  Not even sure where he needs to go, and if I have all the stuff yet.  Like I said, the vacation is over.....
On the plus side, my mom comes over on Thursday night, so that should lift my spirits.  Hopefully she is ready for me!  She may have to pick up the 2 little guys for lunch on Friday morning, as I am with Jacob on his field trip.  I should be back in time, but I better be prepared in case I am not.

2 weeks, 14 days, 334 hours, 29160 minutes, 1209600 seconds.....not that I am counting the time or anything!

Anyways, enough with the sob story, here are some pictures from the weekend.  We went to the library, and then checked out a few museums.  It was the Journees du Patrimoine this weekend, and therefore, free entry into most of the museums in town.  We made it to 2, before the kids were done!  

 It was also Jacob's turn to clean the toilet (not fun, 1 toilet, 4 small boys.....). 

 At the library.  

 The closest playground we have been able to find--still about 2-2.5 km away.  

 Really, we are trying to get them "cultured", but the nose picking still continues....

At the museum of Natural History.